A Thames Water employee has been named “one of the brightest and most innovative young engineers in the country” by a national industry body.

Richard Smith, 23, from Kennet Island, was one of six apprentice engineers selected by Barry Clarke, incoming president of the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE).

Mr Smith had started working in Thames Water’s capital delivery department after graduating last year from Leeds University.

He said: “I am honoured to have been chosen as an ICE President’s Apprentice as the opportunities it will provide during the year are incredible and it will help me develop my career in civil engineering.”

As part of the ICE’s President’s Apprentice application, candidates were asked to submit an essay on ‘Ethical challenges: the conflict between the design brief and sustainable principles’.

Mr Smith said: “The main thrust of my essay was that ICE must continue to provide a voice to influence new Government legislation and ensure barriers for delivering sustainable designs are removed.

“Ultimately, only by satisfying all sustainable principles – economic, social and environmental – will the conflict between design brief and sustainable principles be overcome.”